LES PALIERS (communément : pierres ou rubis)
L’utilisation des pierres (rubis synthétiques) dans un mouvement vise généralement à minimiser les frottements entre deux composants. Les paliers d’un mouvement (pivotements des mobiles en rotation) génèrent de nombreuses frictions, responsables d’une importante dissipation d’énergie. L’usage de pierres en rubis synthétiques s’est donc généralisé pour l’ensemble des paliers d’une montre. Selon le mobile, son rôle, ses dimensions et son inertie, on fera appel à l’un des trois types de paliers décrits dans ce chapitre.
SIMPLE BEARINGS
Most of a Movement’s wheels require simple Bearings. These have a single jewel per pivot. The jewel is pierced with a perfectly calibrated hole, into which the pivot is engaged. A circular recess, concentric with the jewel’s bore, contains the Oil needed for lubricating the Bearing (Oil sink).
BEARINGS WITH ENDSTONES
Pivots of small diameter, which are not subjected to excessive torque, are suited to such Bearings. Endstone systems require two jewels: the first is similar to a simple Bearing jewel. A second jewel (not pierced) limits the vertical Shake (play) of the wheel. Such a system involves conical pivots. Its advantage lies in the maximum reduction of friction (both radial and vertical).
SHOCK-ABSORBERS (Shock-absorber)
This system is mainly intended for the bearings of balance staffs and, more rarely, for those of the escapement wheel set. The pivots of the balance staff have a small diameter (to limit friction), while the inertia of the balance is high. The endstone jewel of a shock-absorber is held in the chaton (jewel setting) by a spring (the lyre lug). During a significant impact, the endstone jewel can move slightly, the lyre lug absorbing the shock and preventing the pivot from breaking.
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